International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

What is ICHREE? 

Established: The International Commission of Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) was created by Resolution A/HRC/RES/S-33/1 of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 21 December 2021. 

Mandate: The Human Rights Council mandated the ICHREE, inter alia: 

• To establish the facts and the circumstances surrounding alleged violations and abuses of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law committed by all parties to the conflict in Ethiopia since 03 November 2020. This includes the collection and preservation of evidence to support ongoing and future accountability efforts;

• To provide guidance on transitional justice, including accountability, reconciliation and healing, as appropriate, and to make recommendations on related technical assistance to the Government of Ethiopia;

• To integrate a gender perspective and survivor-centered approach throughout its work;

• To engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the Government of Ethiopia, the Government of Eritrea, regional State governments, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Inter-Ministerial Task Force, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and civil society. 

The ICHREE is further guided by the centrality of the cessation, non-recurrence, and prevention of violations and abuses.

Legal Framework:

The ICHREE will apply International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law. Applicable law will also include International Criminal Law, regional instruments, and Ethiopian domestic law.

Scope of Work:

• The temporal scope of work is the period since 3 November 2020.

• The geographical scope of work is the territory of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, with a focus on areas affected by the recent conflict.

• The subjects of investigation are entities and persons on all sides of the conflict.

• The scope of investigative work for the report to be presented at the Human Rights Council’s 51st session will take into account the time constraints on the ICHREE.  Thus, the ICHREE will pursue investigation through an examination of a number of emblematic incidents.  The choice of these incidents will be based on the gravity of the violations involved; the representativeness of the incidents in terms of the range of violations, perpetrators, and victims; the extent to which the incident is part of a larger pattern of abuses; the importance of presenting an integrated gender perspective, and the need to highlight certain issues or threats.

Guiding Principles:

• Independence of the ICHREE;

• Impartiality of human rights investigations, analysis and reporting; 

• Confidentiality of information and sources;

• Prior and informed consent of victims, survivors, witnesses and other sources; 

• Adoption of international standards for verification of information.

• ‘Do No Harm,’ including protection of victims, witnesses and other sources of information. 

• Ethical standards in interviewing victims and witnesses.

• Safety and security for investigators, information gathered and sources. 

• Referral to available service providers for victims and survivors in need. 

Why is ICHREE important to Tigray and Ethiopia? 

The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) plays a critical role in addressing human rights abuses and ensuring accountability in Ethiopia. Here are several reasons why ICHREE is important:

1. Independent Investigation: ICHREE conducts impartial and independent investigations into alleged human rights violations. This impartiality ensures the credibility and reliability of the findings.

2. Accountability: By investigating and documenting human rights abuses, ICHREE holds individuals and groups accountable for their actions, promoting justice and deterring future violations.

3. Truth and Transparency: ICHREE helps uncover the truth about human rights violations, providing a clear picture of what occurred. This truth is crucial for understanding the full scope of abuses and developing effective solutions.

4. Evidence-Based Advocacy: The reports and findings of ICHREE serve as valuable evidence that advocates, NGOs, and the international community can use to raise awareness, lobby for change, and pressure relevant stakeholders to take appropriate action.

5. International Standards Adherence: ICHREE ensures that investigations and recommendations align with international human rights standards, promoting adherence to these standards by the concerned parties.

6. Prevention of Recurrence: By identifying root causes and patterns of human rights abuses, ICHREE helps develop preventive measures and policies to reduce the likelihood of similar violations in the future.

7. Victim-Centric Approach: ICHREE often engages with victims and survivors, giving them a platform to share their experiences and concerns. This approach ensures that the investigation is sensitive to the needs and perspectives of those affected.

8. Global Pressure and Collaboration: The existence and actions of ICHREE encourage international collaboration and pressure on the Ethiopian government to address human rights abuses. Collective action enhances the likelihood of a meaningful response and resolution.

9. Encourages International Dialogue: The commission fosters dialogue and engagement between different stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the international community, promoting a collective effort toward improving human rights in Ethiopia.